Pamela Buchmeyer-Aymond recently was named a Working Mother of the Year as part of a contest sponsored by KUDOS Brand.
She was one of 2,000 mothers who entered the contest by writing a 500-word essay about how they balance their life with work and family. Buchmeyer-Aymond’s essay won third place. Her prize is that she and her family eat at T.G.I. Friday’s once a month for free.
Buchmeyer is a Lakewood resident with two daughters, ages 6 and 2. She balances parenting with a career as a freelance writer and lawyer. You can read her humor column in “Dallas Child” magazine.
In her contest essay, Buchmeyer wrote about how she creates a sense of togetherness for her family. According to Buchmeyer, they have table time, they act silly, they take long walks, and they keep family traditions.
“I don’t think people realize how much hard work goes into parenting,” Buchmeyer-Aymond says. “It’s utter chaos all the time. Controlled chaos is the most you can hope for.”
White Rock Task Force Formed
The Greater East Dallas Chamber of Commerce has formed a White Rock Task Force, which will coordinate area groups to promote the dredging of White Rock Lake.
The group plans to work with the Dallas Park and Recreation Department, the consulting team of Carter and Burgess Inc., and the Dallas City Council to ensure the dredging project is placed on the May bond election.
Volunteers are needed to serve as liaisons to various government officials and community groups. The task force is chaired by Kitty Maxey of the Executive Secretarial School.
For information, call the Chamber at 368-6000.
Neighborhood Groups Receive Housing Grants
Two neighborhood non-profit organizations, Dallas Area Habitat for Humanity and Kid Net Foundation, recently received housing grants from Fannie Mae Foundation.
Habitat was awarded $10,000 for the construction of a home in East Dallas in partnership with Fairfield Residential, Northern Trust Bank and the Dallas Mortgage Bankers Association.
Through volunteer labor and donated materials, Habitat provides underprivileged families with homes financed by no-interest mortgages.
Kid Net, which specializes in the care of drug-addicted newborns, received $5,000 to help reduce the debt it accumulated building Jonathan’s Place at 4707 Gaston.
Jonathan’s Place is a foster group home for infants and small children born to parents with drug problems, says neighborhood resident Lisa Matthews, Kid Net founder and president.
In 1993, Fannie Mae gave Kid Net $10,000 for the project, Matthews says. Jonathan’s Place opened in September.
Library Friends Host Book Reviews
Lakewood Library Friends will sponsor monthly book reviews from January through March.
The first review will be presented by Rosemary Rumbley, who will discuss “Robert Burns – 200 Years Since ‘Auld Lang Syne’” on Jan. 11. Rumbley is an actress, historian, humorist and author.
“Blood Rich” will be reviewed Feb. 8 by Jimmie Kennedy, and “The Story of the Titanic” will be reviewed March 8 by Pat Halberstadt. All reviews are scheduled for 1:30 p.m. in the library’s auditorium.
Admission is $6 for all three reviews or $2.50 per review for Lakewood Library Friends members; non-members pay $7.50 for the series or $3 per review.
For reservations, mail a check to the library payable to Lakewood Library Friends, 6121 Worth, Dallas, 75214.
Service League Plans ‘Big League Ball’ Feb. 11
The Lakewood Service League will host its 13 annual auction party, the Big League Ball, at the Southland Center Hotel, 400 N. Olive, on Feb. 11 at 7:30 p.m.
Athletic attire is the dress code, and sports celebrities will be attending. Live and silent auctions also will be held. Among the donated items available for auction are shopping sprees, resort packages, dinners at local restaurants, and jewelry.
Proceeds from the event benefit neighborhood service organizations and schools. Since 1982, the annual event has raised more than $300,000 for neighborhood non-profits. To donate goods or services, call Kelly Secker at 823-8011 or Susan Benton at 324-3983. To purchase tickets or for more information, call party chairs Sally Wamre at 827-1264 or Valli Hale at 826-2866.
Dailey Is Miss North Texas
Lakewood resident Sarajane Dailey was recently named Miss North Texas Teen USA. Dailey, daughter of Jeff and Julie Owen, is a sophomore at the Arts Magnet High School majoring in voice. She recently competed in the Miss Texas Pageant in interview, swimsuit and evening gown competitions.
Calendar
Through Dec. 10 – New Theatre Co. presents “Battery” by Daniel Therriault on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8 p.m. in the Swiss Ave. Theater Center, 2700 Swiss.
Through Dec. 17 – Rubber Chicken improv comedy group performs Fridays and Saturdays at the Pocket Sandwich Theatre, 5400 E. Mockingbird, at 11:15 p.m. Admission is $7. Call 823-LAFF or 821-1860 for reservations.
